Project Manager– Market Insights department 112 views

Market Insights department

COLEAD is a non-profit interprofessional association founded in 1973 whose main purpose is to facilitate and implement all actions that directly and/or indirectly increase the contribution of the agri-food sector to the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

COLEAD manages development projects in the agricultural and food sector in low and low-middle income countries, financed by donors (mainly the European Union). More information is available on our website.

As part of the implementation of its new programme entitled “Sustainable Production for Resilient and Inclusive New Generations (SPRING)”, COLEAD is looking for a Project Manager for its Market Insights Department.

The Market Insights Project Manager will contribute to the design, coordination, implementation, quality control and dissemination of Market Insights activities, including market studies, value chain profiles, sector-wide bottleneck analyses, data analysis, trend monitoring, stakeholder consultations and knowledge-sharing activities.

Under the SPRING project, the position will serve as the Market Insights focal point in The Gambia, ensuring the coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of all Market Insights-related activities carried out in the country. This includes the daily follow-up of activities, liaison with local stakeholders, coordination with experts and partners, and alignment with programme objectives.

The position is based in Banjul, The Gambia, with a primary focus on Market Insights activities under the SPRING project in the country. However, its scope may extend beyond The Gambia to support broader Market Insights activities across COLEAD programmes and offices, in line with organisational needs. The role will be integrated into COLEAD’s Market Insights team, whose members are based in different countries and collaborate remotely and across locations to deliver market analysis, knowledge products and strategic insights for the organisation.

Key responsibilities:

    Coordinate and manage Market Insights assignments

The Market Insights Project Manager will coordinate and manage market research and analysis assignments from start to finish. While the role concerns COLEAD as a whole, the main focus will be the supervision and daily follow-up of Market Insights activities implemented in The Gambia under the SPRING project. In particular, the Project Manager will:

• Draft terms of reference for market studies, value chain profiles, sector analyses, bottleneck studies and related assignments.
• Support the selection, contracting and supervision of external experts and service providers.
• Coordinate the implementation of assignments, ensuring that planning, procedures, deadlines and donor requirements are respected.
• Liaise regularly with partners, beneficiaries, service providers, local stakeholders, the SPRING project implementation team and relevant internal COLEAD departments.
• Act as the Market Insights focal point in The Gambia, ensuring the coordination, visibility and effective implementation of Market Insights-related activities carried out in the country.
• Ensure the technical quality of Market Insights deliverables by reviewing methodology, data sources, consistency of findings, quality of analysis, clarity of recommendations and relevance for target users.
• Organise review rounds with external experts and internal teams to ensure that deliverables meet COLEAD quality standards before being shared with beneficiaries or published externally.
• Support the organisation and facilitation of consultations, interviews, workshops, group discussions and validation meetings with companies, producer organisations, public institutions, experts and other relevant stakeholders.
• Plan and support dissemination activities, including presentations, workshops, webinars, publications, newsletter articles, social media content and other communication formats.
• Oversee related project administration, including activity planning, monitoring, documentation, reporting and invoicing.

Monitor market trends, data and sector developments

The Market Insights Project Manager will contribute to the monitoring, analysis and sharing of market information relevant to COLEAD programmes. In particular:

• Stay up to date on agri-food industry trends, particularly in the horticulture sector, with specific attention to developments relevant to The Gambia under the SPRING project.
• Monitor diverse news sources, reports, studies, databases and market information platforms at national, regional and international levels.
• Attend and follow relevant trade fairs, webinars, conferences and stakeholder meetings.
• Use and maintain the Market Insights data warehouse, including trade, production, price and market-related datasets, to perform data analysis and respond to internal and external data queries on an ad hoc basis.

Contribute to cross-functional and thematic work

The Market Insights Project Manager will also contribute to cross-functional activities within COLEAD. In particular:

• Support other COLEAD departments in cross-cutting activities, including proofreading and correcting texts, drafting notes, reviewing documents and contributing to brainstorming sessions.
• Participate in programme planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Support the organisation of tenders and procurement processes for selecting external service providers contributing to Market Insights activities within COLEAD programmes.
• Contribute to annual programme planning and activity scheduling, ensuring that Market Insights activities in The Gambia are properly integrated into the broader COLEAD programme framework.
• Contribute to the organisation, documentation and internal sharing of Market Insights knowledge products, datasets, templates and lessons learned

Requirements

The position requires a well-organised, autonomous and rigorous professional, able to coordinate activities, manage routine administrative tasks and contribute to the delivery of high-quality Market Insights outputs in line with COLEAD and donor procedures.

The candidate should meet the following requirements:

• At least a high school diploma, complemented by an additional diploma, certificate or qualification relevant to the position, such as agricultural engineering, agricultural economics, agribusiness, marketing, agri-food economics, …
• Minimum five years of relevant professional experience, preferably in project coordination, programme administration, market analysis, agri-food value chains, private sector development or development cooperation.
• Fluency in English both written and spoken , French and other languages are considered an asset.
• Very good command of digital tools, including excellent proficiency in MS Excel and good knowledge of Microsoft Office and online collaboration tools.
• Ability to carry out basic data analysis, organise information, identify inconsistencies and solve problems independently.
• Ability to carry out routine administrative activities in line with organisational standards and procedures, including planning, documentation, reporting, filing, meeting preparation and follow-up of contracts or invoices.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with different departments, colleagues, experts, service providers, beneficiaries and other stakeholders.
• Critical and analytical mindset, with the ability to review sources, data and deliverables and contribute to improving the quality, relevance and clarity of outputs.
• Knowledge of the agri-food sector, and preferably horticultural value chains.
• Ability to use digital tools and artificial intelligence responsibly to improve the efficiency and quality of Market Insights activities would be an asset.

Benefits

This is a full-time role based in Banjul, offered under an independent consultancy agreement for an initial period of one (1) year, with the possibility of renewal.

You will be based in The Gambia, but travel within The Gambia or to other ACP countries and Belgium for short-term missions, might be required.

The position is to be filled as soon as possible.

We offer a competitive remuneration package aligned with market standards and reflective of the candidate’s experience and qualifications. The contractual arrangement will be determined by COLEAD based on the candidate’s profile, experience, and the applicable legal framework in The Gambia, following a careful analysis of the most appropriate contractual modality.

Joining COLEAD means becoming part of a passionate multicultural team. It’s also an opportunity to enjoy an enriching experience within a civil society organisation working for cooperation and development in the agri-food industry. COLEAD’s values are commitment, difference, humanity, performance and continuous improvement.

To apply, please send your CV + cover letter + references by Friday 10th July 2026